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Puppies grow at an alarming rate. Goldendoodles are a hybrid of two large breeds of dogs and so the puppies can be a significant handle. Because they are so large and grow so rapidly, you may be wondering: how much should a Goldendoodle puppy eat?
Of course, the answer to that will always depend on their current age and weight. Up to a certain age, your Goldendoodle puppy will only drink its mother’s milk. However, around four weeks of age, they will become interested in solid food.
For a couple of weeks, they should be allowed to eat as much as they want within reason. Their little puppy bellies will fill up quickly, and they will not be able to eat any more than they are able.
Still, they are growing rapidly, so allowing them to pig out a bit is not the worst thing in the world.
As I mentioned above, how much your Goldendoodle puppy should eat also depends on its weight. If your puppy weighs too much for its age, then feed them slightly less. If they are underweight, then they will need more food.
It is important to track your puppy’s weight, measurements, and how much they are eating for the first year of their lives.
What Is A Goldendoodle Puppy?
Goldendoodles are a hybrid or designer dog made by crossing a female golden retriever and a male poodle.
Depending on the type of poodle the golden retriever is crossed with, you can get a miniature, medium, or standard Goldendoodle.
A medium Goldendoodle is a cross between two large breeds, which will result in a large dog.
With all large dogs, there is the consideration that needs to be given to their hips and joints. Golden retrievers are especially susceptible to issues like hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis.
When considering what type of food to give your Goldendoodle puppy, remember that helping them with mobility will be important as they grow. Always opt for foods designed to support bone, joint, and muscle health.
How Fast Do Goldendoodle Puppies Grow?
As Goldendoodles are a hybrid of two large dog breeds, it can be difficult to accurately state what size they should be depending on their age after around eight weeks or so because there is a lot of variation amongst individual dogs.
As a rule of thumb, you can expect your Goldendoodle puppy to reach half of its adult weight at roughly 4 to 6 months. Once they are 1.5 years old, they will have reached their adult height, and you can expect them to start bulking up!
At 1.5 years old, your Goldendoodle will also be done growing. However, they may continue to add some weight until the two-year mark if they are the medium or standard variation.
Although exact sizes can vary somewhat, here is a table of general averages:
| Type of Goldendoodle | Age | Size |
| Miniature Goldendoodle | Birth | 1 pound |
| 2 weeks | 2 pounds | |
| 8 weeks | 4 to 9 pounds | |
| 12 weeks | 12 pounds | |
| 4 months | 7 to 19 pounds | |
| 1 year | 24 to 26 pounds | |
| Medium Goldendoodle | Birth | 1 pound |
| 2 weeks | 3 pounds | |
| 8 weeks | 9 to 15 pounds | |
| 12 weeks | 20 pounds | |
| 6 months | 30 to 35 pounds | |
| 1 year | 30 to 45 pounds | |
| Standard/Large/Giant Goldendoodle | Birth | 1 to 1.5 pounds |
| 2 weeks | 3 pounds | |
| 8 weeks | 20 to 22 pounds | |
| 3 months | 35 pounds | |
| 6 months | 45 pounds | |
| 1 year | 45 to 60 pounds |
How Much To Feed Your Goldendoodle Puppy
Your Goldendoodle puppy will be drinking its mother’s milk exclusively until about 4 weeks old.
At around 4 weeks of age, they may become interested in puppy food, and you may want to offer it to them at this time even if they do not eat it. You can leave some food around them to nibble on when they feel like it.
At 8 weeks of age, they should be moved over to puppy food and away from their mother’s milk. Slowly, week by week, they will eat more and more. Goldendoodles do not necessarily know when to stop eating, so free feeding them is not a good idea.
Follow the following feeding chart to see how much you should feed them depending on their age:
| Your puppy’s age | Miniature Goldendoodle | Medium Goldendoodle | Standard Goldendoodle |
| 8 to 12 weeks | ½ cup | ⅔ cup | 1 cup |
| 4 to 5 months | ⅔ to 1 cup | 1.5 to 3 cups | 3.5 to 5 cups |
| 6 to 12 months | 1 to 1.5 cups | 3 to 4 cups | 4 to 5 cups |
| 1 year+ | 1.5 to 2.5 cups | 4 to 5 cups | 5 to 7 cups |
If you are unsure of how much your Goldendoodle should eat based on its age, you can always use their weight. Use this calculator to find out how much you should feed them.
How Often Do You Feed A Goldendoodle Puppy?
How often you feed your Goldendoodle puppy will also be determined by their age.
The younger your Goldendoodle is, the smaller their belly is, but their need for nutrition to grow is greater. Therefore, puppies need to eat a lot more frequently than adult Goldendoodles.
As your Goldendoodle grows, it will need to eat more but less frequently, as its tummy will be big enough for all the food it needs.
| Your Puppy’s Age | How Often You Should Feed Them |
| 8 to 12 weeks | 3 to 4 times a day |
| 4 to 5 months | 3 times a day |
| 6 to 12 months | Twice a day |
| 1 year+ | Twice a day |
As I briefly mentioned earlier, Goldendoodles do not have very good self-control when it comes to portion sizing, so free feeding is not a good idea.
This means you should avoid leaving food out for them at all times, as they can eat too much and become sick or even develop bloat, which can quickly become deadly.
For best results, stick to scheduled feeding times, and don’t leave food out for hours at a time.
How To Feed Your Goldendoodle Puppy
This may seem like a silly question, but it is relevant because the answer is actually not that obvious!
There’s a lot you need to keep in mind when feeding your Goldendoodle puppy. Begin by carefully measuring out your dog’s food into their bowl and place it in their typical eating spot.
You should be able to cover the food with your hand without your puppy making too much fuss. Allow them to start eating.
While they are eating, stroke them and pet their heads. This is an excellent time to brush them, too, as they are occupied and not scrambling around.
This is an important practice to get them used to your presence and prevent food guarding and aggression. You should always be able to touch your dog’s head and move their food away while they are eating without any signs of aggression.
Considering how large Goldendoodles can get even when they are puppies, this is an important part of their training.
Next, give your puppy about 15 minutes to eat their food. During this time, they will either eat all of their food or eat until they are full and lose interest in the rest.
After 15 minutes is up, remove any of the uneaten food left behind. If your puppy is still eating, then let them finish their food.
How To Select The Best Goldendoodle Puppy Food
There are many types of puppy food available in stores and through your vet. The number of options can be overwhelming! Hopefully, I can whittle it down for you and make the decision a little easier.
The American Kennel Club recommends using premium or high-end puppy food as they typically have a higher nutritional density and are more consistent, whereas cheaper foods can be inconsistent and contain filler products.
How Is Puppy Food Different From Adult Dog Food?
Puppies have higher nutritional needs than adult dogs. Their food should be more nutrient-dense because they can only eat a little bit at a time.
Their food will generally be more expensive owing to its quality; however, it should last you longer than a bag of adult food.
Just like with adult dog food, you can choose between kibble or solid food, pouches or semi-moist food, or canned soft food.
Ultimately, the choice will come down to your budget and your dog’s preferences, as feeding a Goldendoodle purely on canned or semi-moist food will wind up being very expensive.
Let’s take a closer look at my top picks for puppy food for Goldendoodles below and why I’ve chosen them!
Top Puppy Food Suggestions For Goldendoodles
While there are innumerable options out there for you to choose from, I have carefully narrowed them down to three products that I highly recommend for your Goldendoodle.
I’ve selected these products because they support growth in large dog breeds as well as mental development.
Your Goldendoodle will grow to be very large and be prone to joint problems, so it is a wise decision to start them on puppy food that will support their growth through the time when they are doing most of it.
Here are my three favorite Goldendoodle puppy foods and the features I love about them:
It is important to choose a food that supports your Goldendoodle but is also affordable so you can sustain their diet and health without breaking the bank.
FAQs About Feeding Goldendoodle Puppies
When do I switch my Goldendoodle from puppy food to adult food?
Puppy food is formulated differently from adult food because puppies and adult dogs have very different nutritional needs. At about a year old, you can switch your Goldendoodle puppy from puppy food to adult food.
For a closer look at the difference between puppy and adult food, then hop over to our article dedicated to defining the differences between the two.
How do I switch between different brands or kinds of food without upsetting my Goldendoodle puppy’s tummy?
If your Goldendoodle puppy has gone off their food, you want to switch their brand of food, or you want to change over from puppy food to adult food, then you need to transition them carefully and slowly.
In week one, switch only a quarter of their normal bowl of food out for the new food. In week two, switch out half of their old food for their new food.
In week three, switch out three-quarters of their old food with the new food. At week four, they will have fully transitioned to their new food!
Rolling Over On Feeding Goldendoodle Puppies…
How much a Goldendoodle should eat will depend on three main factors:
- The goldendoodle’s age
- The type of doodle it is
- The dog’s weight
Miniature Goldendoodles that are 4 months old will obviously eat less than a standard Goldendoodle at 8 months old!
Goldendoodles grow rapidly when they are puppies. This growth needs to be supplemented by a diet that is balanced and takes into consideration their needs as a large dog that has genes that are predisposed to joint problems.
Feed your Goldendoodle puppy on a schedule that is appropriate to their age to reduce problems surrounding food and get them comfortable following a routine. This will make your and their life easier as it is predictable and consistent.
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Check out more of our favorites on our New Puppy Checklist.